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Over 5,765 reviews forShrewsbury Chimney Repair Services from people just like you.

B

"Very well.

and his associate

were courteous, diligent and thorough. They managed to complete all scheduled work" ...More within a dry weather window. I would highly recommend

.

-Ken V.

C

"Bottom Line: Recommend this company for good chimney maintenance, but not to solve any roof leakage problems unless you know for a fact

is" ...More the issue.
Inspection and Estimate: Initially contacted company due to water leakage in attic in and around one of the metal chimneys. Scheduling an appointment for an inspection and estimate was easy and prompt. Technician was able to get on roof, review potential causes, and provide a detailed estimate including pictures from the roof.
Execution of Work. Work was easily scheduled for one week later and was completed in less than an hour. Technician explained what he completed again with pictures. Unfortunately, during the very next rain, the leak returned, so the problem was not fixed. Since the company was hired to fix the leak vice conduct yearly maintenance, would have appreciated a follow-up from the company after several weeks asking if the leak had been fixed. If this had been done, I might have brought the same company back out to further investigate. Since they did not, I decided not to reward the non-completion of the task (fix the leak), and go with a roofing company specializing in any roof leaks.
Cost: Total cost was exactly as estimated and was the best of three top-rated Angie's List providers.

Angie's Answers

Most all professional chimney sweeps now utilize the National Fire Protection 211 Standard for chimneys, fireplaces , Vents and solid fuel-burning appliances for chimney inspections, which determines when and whether he has to access the roof.

There are 3 levels of inspection The most commonly performed are Level 1 and level 2 are listed:

Level 1 Done as Annual Inspection

Routine cleaning of the flue

Direct replacement of a similar appliance

Level 1 inspection is recommended for a chimney under continued service under the same conditions with the continued use of the same appliance.

IN A Level 1 inspection, your chimney service tech should examine the *READILY ACCESSIBLE portions of the appliance and the chimney connection. HE will be looking for basic Soundness of the chimney structure and flue as well as the basic appliance installations and connections. HE will also Verify that the chimney is free of obstruction and combustible deposits.

* Readily accessible Means that no special equipment is required to gain such access, ie.Ladder

LEVEL 2 Upon sale or transfer of a property

After an operating malfunction or an external event is likely to have caused damage to the chimney

Addition or removal of one or more connected appliances, or the replacement of an appliance withone of a different type, a different input rting or a different efficiency.

Prior to relining or replacement of the flue lining

Level 2 insp. are required when any changes are made to the system. Changes can include a change of Fuel Type, changes in shape or material in the flue,Replacement or addition of an appliance of a disimilar type, input rating or efficiency. Building fires, chimney fire or other seismic events as well as weather events or obvious construction defects would be indicators that a level 2 is warranted.

Level 2 includes everything in a level 1 PLUS the *Accessible portions of the chimney exterior and interior including attic, crawl spaces and basements. it addresses proper clearances from combustible in accessible locations.There are no speciality tools required to open or access doors, panels, or coverings during a level 2 insp. The level 2 insp should also include the visual inspection by video scanning equipment or by other means in order to examine the internaql surfaces and joints of all the flue liners inside the chimney structure. No removal or demolition or any permrnantely attached portions of the chimney or building structure or finish shall be required in a level 2 insp.

*ACCESSIBLE means if you can get to it with special equipment do it but you dont have to take apart anything for said access. Use of ladders and cameras just no demolition.

LEVEL 3 SEE NFPA 211 STANDARD FOR DETAILS

***THE REAL ANSWER to this question lies with the accessibility of the top of the chimney and roof type. Most professional sweeps want to examine up close the top of the chimney for cracked masonry crowns , which is very common, Flashing issues, top view down flue, and for prefab chimneys to insp the condition of the Chase cover and cap.

Note that the use of a special tool (ladder) to gain access to the chimney is under a level 2 inspection, which can be additional costs since it is a much more thorough inspection.

It is possible to sweep and do a level 1 insp. without accessing the roof.

Also most professional sweeps have equipment that allows us to sweep the chimney with a rotary system that is operated from inside at the fireplace opening and achieve a much better cleaning than pushing brushes down from the top and without getting on the roof. We also video scan the flue from the hearth so the homeowner can be a part of that inspection or "chimney-oscopy". They see the live action of the top of the chimney and conditions that exist inside their system so when they get their report they know they are not some stock pics that could be used to sell repairs but the actual pics of the conditions they viewed in their system. And we do not have to access the roof.

If the chimney access requires multiple ladders or is a "brush with death", there could be extra cost, and the sweep would make an onsite decision regarding the ability to safely reach the top of the chimney or have to use a lesser option of binoculars or rely on experience to determine whats going on up top based on visible symptoms, if access is too dangerous or not possible.

So don't discount a sweeps knowledge or ability on whether he gets on the roof or not. Check him out on referral sites , company web site, credentials, training and experience. Get referals and check on liability insurance and you should be able to find a sweep that can meet your need. If you are in North Carolina check us out at ClassicChimney.com. For the last 25 years we have been sweeping and inspecting chimneys, certified formerly by the CSIA for 15 years and current member of the NC Guild. give us a call 9197822879

did an incredible job rebuilding our chimney. It's absolutely beautiful and I never thought a chimney could be beautiful. He is very meticulous and a skilled worker.”

- minna L.

A

Rating

“

I was not present for the appointment and don't really know what constitutes a good or bad chimney cleaning. Having said that, they were very friendly when setting up the appointment and my wife, who was there during the work, had no concerns about their professionalism, work or anything like that. I am happy with the service provided and will ...More use them again for chimney service and possibly other masonry work around the house as needed. They did recommend several repairs to the chimney and the price for each seemed very reasonable. ”

- Matt M.

A

Rating

“

They were very nice, professional and clean. The price was good. Unfortunately they could not provide the service since my tile is painted. I appreciate the fact that they acknowledged that they can't provide the service rather than just doing it. ”

- RON R.

F

Rating

“

The work was mostly not done. The work that was done was very shoddy. I spoke with the owner,

, who said he would come down to inspect the work but he never came. He then offered a few hundred dollars refund, not enough given the work he actually did. Ultimately I had recourse through my credit card company and was refunded. ...More

responded to the inquiry by my credit card company by writing that I was a "dead beat who doesn't pay his bills", he also used some very colorful language on the phone. I had to hire another company to repair the chimney but I still have stains from rusted chicken wire running down my chimney.”

- steven G.

A

Rating

“

They found that a lot of work needed to be done to our chimney before we were able to use the fireplace. Their service was great and they were very helpful and informative. In the end we ended up using a different company to do the work that needed to be done to our chimney because the competing company's price was lower.”

- Sara L.

A

Rating

“

I've employed

before, and he always does a great job in a friendly, professional manner. This time I needed a chimney liner installed for my gas water heater, which was exhausting directly into a masonry chimney.

came by my home twice to give me an estimate and check out all the details so he could ...More get the correct parts and quantity. He was always exactly on time for his appointments, and the same was true of the day he actually did the work.
While installing a chimney liner is fairly routine, it was complicated by the extreme height of my home (about 35 feet) and steepness of my roof (12 over 12).

also encountered a wasp nest and had to relocate his ladder to avoid getting stung. And it was a brutally hot, sunny day.
Anyway, he installed the liner, added a piece of supported sheet metal across the top of the chimney and under the cap to keep out driving rain, and added additional sealant and sheet metal to the seam in the stone chimney cap to ensure no rain would get through that way either. (Sealing the seam was something he did on his own initiative for no extra charge.)
A couple days later I noticed a little excess mortar on the chimney and a couple of small gouges in the roof shingles, probably because the shingles were so soft in the extreme heat. I called

and he came out that day and removed the excess mortar and replaced the damaged roof shingles, then called later to make sure I was satisfied.”

- George H.

B

Rating

“

Main chimney is very high, it took 10 levels of scaffolding to access it. It is difficult to find a contractor willing to work on it.
3 new 24" flues were required which added $200 to the estimate.
On

8, I pointed out to

that a few sections near the ground level were not repointed ...More when they did original job. He will return and point these up. As of